UAB Hospital to Transition CEO Role at End of 2026
Incoming interim CEO Michelle Fortune will assume duties at the nation's fifth-largest hospital this November.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in People
UAB Hospital CEO Brenda Carlisle is scheduled to retire at the end of 2026, with current executive vice president Michelle Fortune set to step into the interim CEO role on November 1, 2026. The transition affects leadership at the fifth-largest medical facility in the United States.
Why it matters
Changes in top leadership at major health systems can signal shifts in operational priorities, capital investment strategies, and resource allocation. As one of the largest medical providers in the country, internal transitions at UAB Hospital often influence the broader regional healthcare market.
UAB Hospital ranks as the fifth-largest medical facility in the United States. Incoming interim CEO Michelle Fortune brings more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience to the role as the hospital prepares for a leadership shift.
The players
Brenda Carlisle
The outgoing CEO of UAB Hospital who has managed the facility operations.
Michelle Fortune
The incoming interim CEO of UAB Hospital and current executive vice president of Hospital Operations with over 25 years of industry experience.
UAB Hospital
The fifth-largest medical facility in the United States and a major healthcare provider in Birmingham.
The details
Brenda Carlisle will continue working with UAB Medicine through the end of 2026 to oversee the leadership transition and ensure continuity of care. Michelle Fortune currently serves as executive vice president of Hospital Operations, a role that centers on managing the daily clinical and administrative performance of the facility. The staggered handover allows for knowledge transfer before Carlisle officially departs on December 31, 2026.
Timeline
November 1, 2026: Michelle Fortune begins her tenure as interim CEO.
December 31, 2026: Brenda Carlisle officially retires from her position.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition follows the precedent of systemic organizational updates within the UAB health network. Large-scale hospital systems frequently align executive changes with long-term strategic plans to maintain stability within competitive regional healthcare markets.
Operators in the healthcare supply chain should monitor administrative shifts at UAB Hospital, as new executive leadership may change procurement policies or partnership terms. Review existing service agreements to ensure continuity as the hospital moves through its transition period.
The takeaway
Large-scale institutional transitions require long lead times to ensure operational continuity for key vendors and partners. Closely track official communications from the hospital leadership through the remainder of 2026 to identify potential shifts in vendor requirements or procurement standards.
Further reading
For more on local leadership changes, visit People.
